Six bikes set off from the Grey Horse at 10:00 on 9th October for the last official rideout of the year. Destination - the world famous Tan Hill Inn, highest pub in England.
From Wakefield we headed towards Otley passing through Rothwell and Crossgates, picking up the A6120 through Moortown and then the A660 to Bramhope and into Poole where we stopped for John and Joan to fill up with petrol.
When on our way again, we picked up the B6161 Leathley road, and then followed the road for Farnley Park which led us onto the B6451 heading for Norwood and the A59. Once on the A59 we rode for about 2 miles and then took a right turn and headed for Thornthwaite and the B6265 Greenhaw Hill, where we followed the B6265 just into the Dales and a welcome break at the Stump Cross Caverns. We stopped here for about 20mins while John and June stuffed their faces with a scone each with lashings of cream and jam.
Once back on the road we headed for Hebden and onto Grassington. Once past Grassington, we picked up the B6160 to Kilnsey and Kettlewell. Just past Kettlewell we came across a little place called Buckden where we took a left turn and followed the road to Hubberholme, which was a lovely single track road which has a river following it, that led us up and past Yockenthwaite and on to Beckermond. At Beckermond we took the right fork in the road for Oughtershaw and Beggarmans Rd.
Along these roads was some really stunning scenery, leading us into Hawes, with only a brief cashpoint stop so we had some money for the obligatory pub grub at Tan Hill.
From Hawes it was up, up, and away to High Shaw,and the B6270 to Thwaite, Angram, West Stonesdale, and our final destination, Tan Hill. Very much a back roads route, but all the better for it as we were rewarded with stunning views and scenery along the way.
After a lovely dinner in the Tan Hill Inn, it was time to set off back home but not before the obligatory branch photo.
The route home was quite straight forward by John’s standards (unlike the outbound route) and we headed for Reeth, passing through Arkle town and then onto Leyburn.
From Leyburn, we carried on towards Marsham on the A6108 where John pulled up suddenly. At which point June was protesting at yet another tea stop, especially as she was due at the bingo at 6, but alas no, John’s prostate was indicating a much more urgent requirement than a mere cup of tea !!!.
We then left Marsham picking up the road towards the A1 and the more direct route home.
A huge thanks to John (and June) for leading the extremely scenic route to Tan Hill. For those that couldn’t make it, you missed a cracking day out.